prolapse surgery and pessaries

OK, back home after 2nd prolapse repair - this one with mesh! Less than 36 hours in hospital. Feeling quite comfortable, just a bit feeble. I had an epidural instead of a general anaesthetic. I was a bit nervous about that, but it turned out an excellent experience - I was sedated as well. Will have short walk out with DH tomorrow to get some exercise. Onwards and upwards, thanks HildaW and glassortwo for the good wishes. I will continue to report.

nannajeanie good luck for tomorrow

NannaJeannie, good luck. I do hope all goes well for you.
Its amazing how many of us there are....I am a 'newbie' in this department as have only just become aware of something amiss' down below'. Its not getting much worse at the moment and I'm certainly not keen on any intervention. I just get annoyed with it everytime I get the hoover out.........why does hoovering make it feel worse?

OK, I am going in for my 'mesh' repair tomorrow morning, after simple prolapse repair a year ago failed, plus a Fenton's procedure (fixing a botched epesiotomy from DD birth 29 years ago).

Wish me luck and I will report for the record as soon as DH puts my laptop back in front of me! :-)

10 months after my 'failed' initial prolapse repair, I have been to see the specialist again and he is going to do a mesh repair. Glamma are you still reading the Health posts? how is your mesh repair going on? and how is your botox fix for your bladder progressing? Anyone else had mesh repairs?

I am not complaining about my failed initial repair, there was a 1 in 5 chance of failure anyway, the vaginal wall is just too feeble. Or to put it in medical terms 'vaginal atrophy' has occured. Bleauurrgghgh.

Anyway, just waiting for the letter now for a date for the op.

Has anyone had a Laprascopic Burch colposuspension plus a Posteria vaginal repair?
If so how long ago? I saw a specialist today and are too frightned to go ahead with it seen I don't know anyone who has any kind of prolapse repair done. I am in my early 60's but healthy.
He did say he uses the TVT tape more (I have heard to many horror stories with that).

Additional comment about prolapse and vaginal discomfort. Although my prolapse - repaired in August 2011 but drooping again by December - is up for re-doing, I want to report that I have recently been using HRT vaginal cream. I won't say the effect has been spectacular, but it has certainly been giving a noticeable improvement. Whereas when the cystocele (bulge) used to wreck and twinge and make me wince, the use of the new cream (ortho gynest) has made a real difference.

I am much more comfortable in the nether regions, and my epesiotomy scar (only from 30 years ago) does not hurt any more. I can recommend the use of the cream, you use it every day for 2 weeks to take a run at the 'vaginal atrophy' and then you use it every 3rd day for maintenance. Not bad at all, I wish I had used it years ago.

Still going to have another repair in the summer though, but currently the 'bulge' is tolerable.

Thanks Glamma, I had not realised you had the mesh 18 months ago. i read on the t'internet' that the mesh operations are highly successful - right up into the 90+%, whereas the simple vaginal tuck (hmm did I really mean to use that word) is more like only 80% successful.

We will all keep each other posted, this thread is not going away, and any new Gransnet women might just look in at any time.

It is good to hear you are still progressing, good old NHS

NannaJeannie don't worry to much about mesh options it is quite a simple job I had that 18mths ago and it was only the weakness in the neck of the bladder which caused the need for the botox,I can really feel the difference now 3 mths on and have no discomfort and can go all night without having to get up and make a dash to loo. Enjoy your cuddles on Tuesday and double up on them to make up for what you have missed

18 weeks after prolapse repair and I have been to a follow up appointment with the consultant this morning. The bladder is bulging through into the vaginal wall again. The symptoms I have are 'some discomfort and soreness'. But no incontinence, bladder and bowels OK. So what next?

I have to use a hormonal vaginal cream to relieve the soreness (vaginal wall very thin). Continue with pelvic floor exercises, which will not make the bulge reduce but will help to slow down the rate of progress. I have another appointment in 6 months and the consultant said he will do another operation 'as this does happen to some women'. We did not discuss whether he would simply repeat what he did in August or whether he will look a mesh options.

I am quite cool about all this, I am still in the system. And the next time I see my grandaughter (Tuesday I think) I am going to pick her up.

So there!

sillyoldgranny just pop in for a chat anytime you need to the thread will still be here granny no chance of us going away, we always have some one updating on their progress.xxx

Hello-nice to see the thread is still going. I had my surgery on 17th Oct and all went very well I had a spinal-brilliant-and came home after 24 hours. No pain and no problems except being tired. Still not feeling very energetic but i'm getting there So grateful for encouragement and support from you

So glad to hear all OK nannaJ everything went well at my checkup and my guy was pleased with the outcome,it took a bit of getting used to as the difference in the neck of the bladder could be felt but all fine now,aren't we doing well.

14 weeks after prolapse repair. I have been to the physiotherapist for second session. I have been doing pelvic floor exercises, but not much sitting on the yoga ball. She is pleased with the 'strength' of the vaginal muscles, at least there are some there. I am still comfortable on the bladder and bowels front. BUT the site of the operation scar, inside the vagina, is a bit bulgy. To be honest it has been bulgy since I had the operation because I could feel the stitches running along it. She has given me an appointment to see the gynaecologist in a few weeks, just to check the bulge out. It is not giving me any jip, I just can feel it is there.

Plus, still cannot lift anything up which would put strain on my pelvic floor. I am a bit fed up about that, and even though DH is very willing to pick up/move/fetch anything I ask, I hate the loss of independence. Still nothing more than a full kettle.

And still cannot pick DGD (1) up which means I cannot put her into or lift her out of the pram. Prob in about 6 months she will be able to clamber in and out under supervision like DGS (2).

Onward and upward

nanajeannie Many thank's for your kind thought's I am feeling fine now and the treatment seem's to be working OK I go back to see my guy on 31st October for checkup,at the moment I am confined to bed as am full of flu and feel as though I have been run over by a bus,so am off for a sleep,just having a nice cup of veggie soup and a good old moan at everything and everyone.

Glamm and em's DD, I hope you are both doing well. I am 10 weeks after my prolapse repair now and still going well. Bladder and bowels are as good as years ago. But the physiotherapist said I still must not lift heavy weights. I am obeying but it is creasing me not to be able to lift up my DG (1yr). When I mind her, while DD is on a course, we have to have a temporary cot set up in the dining room (actually the playpen with a matress in). When it is nap time and bed time I 'walk' her in. I am going back to physio in a few weeks where I will have a 'measurement' taken of my vaginal muscle strength. I am doing pelvic floor exercises everyday and have started sitting on a yoga ball for an hour a day watching TV - it is supposed to strengthen core muscles. I mean business!! Trouble is I am convinced everything is as flabby as ever. And I want to pick my little Immy up!!!!

em here's hoping your DD is feeling better soon,better to take the extra time to get back into thing's there will be plenty more amdram's for her to watch.As to the MOT I wonder if WD40 is any good LOL.

That's good news Glamma. If they can explain that a relatively simple procedure carried out every few months will keep everything functioning well, that's fine - a bit like your car having an MOT and a little bit of work to keep chugging along! DD has to go back for next step in 3 months. Unfortunately she wasn't well enough tonight to come to an amdram play she'd been looking forward to. I feel it would have done her so much good just to get out and see people for a wee while as she has been stuck at home for weeks!

em every thing fine no need to catheterise now as all in good working order will have to have procedure every 9/10mths as necessary but am going to try more pelvic floor and try to prolong the repeat.

Well done em...your tender loving care must have been invaluable. Speedy recovery wished for your DD.

Glamma it's been a rough week. DD had her op successfully but was warned that rest was essential and of course, no lifting. With a 2 1/2 year-old and a 13 month-old someone had to do some lifting! So I've spent every night/morning there until MiL came to take over. Friend then arrived to cook evening meal and I returned to stay overnight again. Just what any reasonable gran would do - but complicated by the fact that, months ago I'd promised to be involved in a local charity-based drama group production. So I've also spent every evening at the theatre! If only everything hadn't happened in the same week! DD was making good progress until her temperature soared. Added to everything else she is now coping with a throat and ear infection. Next week should be easier as the last show is tonight and, all being well DD and the 2 big kids will be there. Hope she makes it and enjoys the nonsense! Thanks for all the good wishes.

em I'm hoping your DD is ok to-day and she is recovering,I am feeling the benefit of the surgery now and am not up in the night as I was before,last night I slept for a straight 6hrs,so hopefully am back on track,only need a face lift and tummy tuck to complete the process LOL.

Thanks Annobel but, quite irrationally I know, I feel not only anxious but a bit guilty. Nothing I did or didn't do could have had any effect but there is still that little niggle in the back of the head. Maybe it's just part of the general worrying process.

Em, I hope your DD's op goes well and she'll soon be fit and full of life again. Isn't she lucky to have you!

Glamma - I have found your cheery comments very helpful as I am concerned about DD's similar op today. She'll probably be in overnight so I'm off to look after the kids! Thanks and keep up the good work (ie not doing any if you can manage that!)